Russian presidential election: Rallies held for Alexei Navalny

Supporters of opposition politician Alexei Navalny have been gathering in some 20 Russian cities to again his bid to run in March’s presidential ballot.

They’re looking for to collect signatures wanted to register him as a candidate to problem Vladimir Putin.

Nevertheless, election officers have already dominated Mr Navalny ineligible because of a corruption conviction which he says is politically motivated.

Mr Navalny mentioned in Moscow he was the one viable various to Mr Putin.

He’s extensively considered the one candidate with an opportunity of difficult the president, who’s looking for a fourth time period that will see him develop into the longest-serving Russian chief since Joseph Stalin.

The BBC’s Sarah Rainsford has been attending the Moscow nomination assembly for Mr Navalny.

She mentioned supporters on the assembly have been making speeches saying “finally the motion for change has an actual chief” and “we demand he run for president. With out Navalny there might be no elections”.

One Navalny supporter named Maria, advised Deutsche Welle journalist Mykhailo Komadovsky: “I personally have just one enemy, His identify is Putin. Solely Navalny can battle in opposition to him.”

Mr Putin, who refuses to say Mr Navalny by identify, nonetheless retains a large approval ranking and is sort of sure to ease to victory within the election.

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Media captionAlexei Navalny talks to the BBC’s Hardtalk programme in January

Mr Navalny led mass road protests in opposition to President Putin within the winter of 2011-12 and has served three jail phrases this 12 months alone for organising unauthorised anti-Putin protests.

The opposition politician insists he would beat Mr Putin in a good battle.